U.S. patent application number 14/264165 was filed with the patent office on 2014-10-30 for apparatus and method for reading identification information of biosensor.
This patent application is currently assigned to INFOPIA CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is INFOPIA CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Byeong-Woo Bae, Ju-Pyo Hong, Chan-Kwan Jeong, Gu-Youn Kim, Young-Jun Seo, Hong-Seong Suk.
Application Number | 20140319222 14/264165 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50774622 |
Filed Date | 2014-10-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140319222 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bae; Byeong-Woo ; et
al. |
October 30, 2014 |
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR READING IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION OF
BIOSENSOR
Abstract
An apparatus of reading identification information according to
a code attached on a biosensor. In reading the identification
information through a pattern of the existing biosensor, a
photodetector and a light resource are required for each segment so
as to read segments of each pattern. However, such a system may
cause a complexity of circuit-driving, raise manufacturing costs,
and prolong operating hours. Thus, to solve these problems,
provided is a technology, which, in contrast to the existing
technology, has advantages of using a small amount of electronic
components and reduced driving circuits to shorten working hours,
and the like.
Inventors: |
Bae; Byeong-Woo; (Anyang-si,
KR) ; Suk; Hong-Seong; (Anyang-si, KR) ; Kim;
Gu-Youn; (Uiwang-si, KR) ; Jeong; Chan-Kwan;
(Anyang-si, KR) ; Seo; Young-Jun; (Anyang-si,
KR) ; Hong; Ju-Pyo; (Anyang-si, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
INFOPIA CO., LTD. |
Anyang-si |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
INFOPIA CO., LTD.
Anyang-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
50774622 |
Appl. No.: |
14/264165 |
Filed: |
April 29, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
235/469 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 5/14532 20130101;
G01N 33/48771 20130101; G06K 9/00127 20130101; G01N 33/49 20130101;
G01N 2015/0065 20130101; G06T 7/0012 20130101; G06K 7/12
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
235/469 |
International
Class: |
G06K 7/12 20060101
G06K007/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 29, 2013 |
KR |
10-2013-0047617 |
Claims
1. An apparatus of reading identification information of a
biosensor, the apparatus comprising: a light receiver; a plurality
of light emitters, which are located corresponding to and facing a
plurality of segments on a surface of the biosensor, and which are
arranged around the light receiver; an identification code reader
configured to sequentially turn on/off the plurality of light
emitters according to each position thereof, and read the light
receiver to read color information recorded on the segment which
corresponds to and faces a position of the light emitter which has
been turned on.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light receiver comprises a
plurality of photodetectors, which are connected in series or in
parallel to each other, and which are capable of being
simultaneously operated in entirety thereof by the identification
code reader.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light
emitters comprise a plurality of light emitting elements, which are
simultaneously operated by the identification code reader.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the identification code reader
is configured to turn on/off the plurality of light emitters by
alternating between horizontal and vertical directions.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising: a plurality of sets of
reader modules including the light receiver, the plurality of light
emitters, and the identification code reader.
6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the identification code reader
comprises: a light emitter driver connected to each of the
plurality of light emitters; a light receiver driver configured to
drive the light receiver; a converter configured to convert an
output of the light receiver into a digital format; and a pattern
reader configured to read a pattern of an identification
information code of the biosensor from an output of the
converter.
7. A method for reading identification information of a biosensor,
wherein the identification information is recorded according to an
arrangement of different colors on a plurality of segments on a
surface of the biosensor, the method comprising: a) detecting an
insertion of the biosensor; b) turning on one of a plurality of
light emitters arranged in a position corresponding to and facing
segments on the surface of the biosensor which has been inserted
while turning off the rest; c) detecting a light, which has been
projected from the light emitter and reflected from or penetrated
through the biosensor; d) reading, through the detected light, a
code recorded in a position corresponding to the plurality of
segments on the surface of the biosensor which has been inserted;
and e) reading identification information by repeating operations
b) to d) with respect to the plurality of light emitters located in
different positions, and by reading the codes of all the
segments.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the operation e) comprises
turning on/off the plurality of light emitters by alternating
between horizontal and vertical directions.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(a) of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0047617,
filed on Apr. 29, 2013, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office,
the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference
for all purposes.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] The following description relates to a technology for
measuring biometric data, and more specifically, to a technology
for reading identification information recorded depending on a
color on a surface of the biosensor.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] There are some devices for measuring biometric data using a
disposable biosensor. Here, the biosensor, e.g. a strip of a blood
glucose measuring device, may have different characteristics for
each product lot number. Also, in the existing devices, correction
code information for correcting such characteristics is recorded on
a surface of the biosensor depending on the arrangement of colors.
The existing device for measuring biometric data, which reads the
arrangement of colors, disposes light sources and light detectors
at a one-to-one ratio for each segment that makes arrangement
patterns. Such existing devices have problems of complicating a
circuit and increasing its cost of production, among others.
[0006] Korean Patent No. 10-1224600 (filed on May 9, 2011, and
registered on Jan. 15, 2013) discloses a bio-chip detector.
However, this application uses motors to detect information of a
plurality of bio-chips (biosensors) and includes a rotation axis
and a board, which are both disposed, thus resulting in the large
scale and difficulty to carry it around.
SUMMARY
[0007] In reading identification information through a pattern of
the existing biosensor, a photodetector and a light resource are
required for each segment so as to read the segments of each
pattern. Such a system has not only caused a complexity of driving
circuits, but it has also raised manufacturing costs, and prolonged
operating hours.
[0008] The following description relates to a technology for
reading biosensor identification information which, in contrast to
the existing technology, uses a smaller amount of photodetectors
than light resources, thus simplifying driver circuits and
decreasing the amount of work and time needed.
[0009] In one general aspect, an apparatus of reading
identification information includes: a light receiver; a plurality
of light emitters, which are located corresponding to and facing a
plurality of segments on a surface of the biosensor, and which are
arranged around the light receiver; an identification code reader
configured to sequentially turn on/off the plurality of light
emitters according to each position thereof and read the light
receiver to decipher/decode color information recorded on the
segment which corresponds to and faces a position of the light
emitter which has been turned on.
[0010] The light receiver may include a plurality of
photodetectors, each of which is connected in series or in parallel
to each other, and which are capable of being simultaneously
operated in entirety thereof by the identification code reader.
[0011] The plurality of light emitters may include a plurality of
light emitting elements, which are simultaneously operated by the
identification code reader.
[0012] The identification code reader may be configured to turn
on/off the plurality of light emitters by alternating between
horizontal and vertical directions.
[0013] The apparatus may include a plurality of sets of reader
modules including the light receiver, the plurality of light
emitters, and the identification code reader.
[0014] The identification code reader may include: a light emitter
driver connected to each of the plurality of light emitters; a
light receiver driver configured to drive the light receiver; a
converter configured to convert an output of the light receiver to
a digital format; and a pattern reader configured to read a pattern
of an identification information code of the biosensor from an
output of the converter.
[0015] In another general aspect, a method for reading
identification information of a biosensor, wherein the
identification information is recorded according to an arrangement
of different colors on a plurality of segments on a surface of the
biosensor, includes: a) detecting an insertion of the biosensor; b)
turning on one of a plurality of light emitters arranged in a
position corresponding to and facing segments on the surface of the
biosensor which has been inserted while turning off the rest; c)
detecting a light which has been projected from the light emitter
and reflected from or penetrated through the biosensor; d) reading,
through the detected light, a code recorded in a position
corresponding to the plurality of segments on the surface of the
biosensor which has been inserted; and e) reading identification
information by repeating operations b) to d) with respect to the
plurality of light emitters located in different positions, and by
reading the codes of all the segments.
[0016] The operation e) may include turning on/off the plurality of
light emitters by alternating between horizontal and vertical
directions.
[0017] Other features and aspects may be apparent from the
following detailed description, the drawings, and the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an apparatus
of reading identification information according to an exemplary
embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an
identification code reader according to an exemplary
embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation
of an apparatus of reading identification information according to
an exemplary embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating another example of an
operation of an apparatus of reading identification information
according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating yet another example of an
operation of an apparatus of reading identification information
according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an
apparatus of reading identification information according to an
exemplary embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 7 is another schematic diagram illustrating an example
of an apparatus of reading identification information according to
an exemplary embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method
for reading identification information according to an exemplary
embodiment.
[0026] Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, unless
otherwise described, the same drawing reference numerals will be
understood to refer to the same elements, features, and structures.
The relative size and depiction of these elements may be
exaggerated for clarity, illustration, and convenience.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] The following description is provided to assist the reader
in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the methods,
apparatuses, and/or systems described herein. Accordingly, various
changes, modifications, and equivalents of the methods,
apparatuses, and/or systems described herein will be suggested to
those of ordinary skill in the art. Also, descriptions of
well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for increased
clarity and conciseness.
[0028] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an apparatus
of reading identification information according to an exemplary
embodiment.
[0029] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the apparatus of reading
identification information includes a light receiver 120; a
plurality of light emitters 110 whose position corresponds to and
faces a plurality of segments on a surface of a biosensor inserted
and are disposed around the light receiver 120; and an
identification code reader 130 that sequentially turns on/off the
plurality of the light emitters 110 according to position thereof
and then reads the light receiver 120 to read the color information
recorded on the segments which correspond to and face the position
of the light emitters 110 which has been turned on.
[0030] The light receiver 120 may include a plurality of
photodetectors connected in series or in parallel to each other,
which are capable of being simultaneously operated in entirety
thereof by the identification code reader 130.
[0031] In an exemplary embodiment, the light receiver 120 may be a
single element. In another exemplary embodiment, the light receiver
120 may include a plurality of light receivers, which are capable
of being implemented in one single driving circuit.
[0032] The light emitter 110 may include a plurality of light
emitting elements, which are capable of being simultaneously
operated) by the identification code reader 130. In an exemplary
embodiment, a light emitting diode (LED) may be used as the light
emitter 110.
[0033] The identification code reader 130 may be implemented to
turn on/off the plurality of the light emitters 110 by alternating
between horizontal and vertical directions
[0034] In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus of reading
identification information may include a plurality of sets of
reader modules that include a light receiver 120, a plurality of
light emitters 110, and an identification code reader 130.
[0035] In another exemplary embodiment, the apparatus may include
the plurality of reader modules which, in contrast with the
existing technology, use the minimum amount of components while
being able to accommodate several biosensors.
[0036] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an
identification code reader according to an exemplary
embodiment.
[0037] An identification code reader 130 may include a light
emitter driver 210; a light receiver driver 220 that drives a light
receiver; a converter 230 that converts an output of the light
receiver into a digital format; and a pattern reader 240 that reads
a pattern of an identification information code of a biosensor from
the output of the converter 230.
[0038] The light emitter driver 210 may drive a light emitter 110
and enable the light emitter 110 to irradiate light on a side where
an identification information code is attached.
[0039] The light receiver driver 220 may enable a light receiver
120 to detect the light which has been generated by the light
emitter 110.
[0040] The converter 230 may convert the pattern of the
identification information code to a digital format and enable the
following pattern reader 240 to analyze the code pattern.
[0041] The pattern reader 240 may read information of the pattern,
which has been converted to a digital format by the converter 230,
and detect the pattern of the identification information code of
the biosensor.
[0042] The detailed description about operations of the apparatus
according to an exemplary embodiment will be described later in
reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.
[0043] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation
of an apparatus of reading identification information according to
an exemplary embodiment.
[0044] In an exemplary embodiment, if a biosensor 310 which
includes an identification information code, as illustrated in FIG.
3, is inserted into an apparatus of reading identification
information, the apparatus may, for purpose of identifying the
identification information code, initially operate the? first light
emitters 321 to generate light; operate a light receiver 330; and
enable the light receiver 330 to detect the light, which has been
generated by the first light emitters 321 and reflected from one
side of the biosensor 310. Then, the apparatus may operate second
light emitters 322 to generate light, operate the light receiver
330, and enable the light receiver 330 to detect the light
reflected from the biosensor 310.
[0045] In another exemplary embodiment, the light emitters 321 and
322 may be grouped horizontally, not longitudinally as illustrated
in FIG. 3.
[0046] The detailed description about operations of the apparatus
according to an exemplary embodiment will be described later in
reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.
[0047] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating another example of an
operation of an apparatus of reading identification information
according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0048] In an exemplary embodiment, if a biosensor 410, which
includes an identification information code attached thereon as
illustrated in FIG. 4, is inserted into an apparatus of reading
identification information, the apparatus may, for the purpose of
identifying the identification information code, initially operate
first light emitters 421 to generate light; operate a light
receiver 440; and enable the light receiver 440 to detect the
light, which has been generated by the first light emitters 421 and
reflected from one side of the biosensor 410. Then, the apparatus
may operate second light emitters 422 to generate light; operate
light receivers 440 and 450; and enable the light receivers 440 and
450 to detect the light, which has been reflected from the
biosensor 410. Then, the apparatus may operate third light emitters
423 to generate light; operate the light receiver 450; and enable
the light receiver 450 to detect the light, which has been
reflected from the biosensor 410. The light receivers 440 and 450
are electrically connected to each other and may be implemented in
one single driving circuit. By these operations, the apparatus may
read a pattern of the identification information code, which is
included on one side of the biosensor 410.
[0049] The detailed description about operations of the apparatus
according to an exemplary embodiment will be described later in
reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.
[0050] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating yet another example of an
operation of an apparatus of reading identification information
according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0051] In an exemplary embodiment, if a biosensor 510, which
includes an identification information code attached thereon as
illustrated in FIG. 5, is inserted into an apparatus of reading
identification information, the apparatus may, for the purpose of
identifying the identification information code, initially operate
first light emitters 521 to generate light; operate a light
receiver 530; and enable the light receiver 530 to detect the
light, which has been generated by the first light emitters 521 and
reflected from one side of the biosensor 510. Then, the apparatus
may operate second light emitters 522 to generate light; operate
the light receiver 530; and enable the light receiver 530 to detect
the light, which has been reflected from the biosensor 510. Then,
the apparatus may re-operate the second light emitters 522 to
generate light; operate a light receiver 540; and enable the light
receiver 540 to detect the light, which has been reflected from the
biosensor 510. At last, the apparatus may operate third light
emitters 523 to generate light; operate the light receiver 540; and
enable the light receiver 540 to detect the light, which has been
reflected from the biosensor 510. The light receivers 530 and 540
are electrically connected to each other and may be implemented in
one single driving circuit.
[0052] The pattern of the identification information code is not
limited to the exemplary embodiments described above in FIGS. 3 to
5. Also, various patterns besides the description above may be
attached on one side of the biosensor, and the number of the light
emitters or light receivers may be readily changed as
necessary.
[0053] The detailed description about operations of the apparatus
according to an exemplary embodiment will be described later in
reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.
[0054] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an
apparatus of reading identification information according to an
exemplary embodiment.
[0055] An apparatus of reading identification information is
described in detail according to a schematic diagram of circuits as
illustrated in FIG. 6. To read a pattern of the biosensor, a driver
controller 660 may initially issue an operation instruction to a
light emitter driver 610. The light emitter driver 610 may include
a first driver 611, a second driver 612, a third driver 613, and a
fourth driver 614, each of which controls a light emitter 690. The
light emitter driver 610 may drive the first driver 611 and enable
the light emitter, which is connected to the first driver 611, to
generate the light toward the biosensor. Then, if an instruction is
transferred to a light receiver driver 620 by the driver controller
660, the light receiver driver 620 may enable a photodetector of a
light receiver 680 to detect the light, which has been reflected
from the biosensor. The light information detected from the
photodetector of the light receiver 680 may be converted into a
digital format by the converter 640, and the converted light
information may be input to a pattern reader 650. The pattern
reader 650 may read the pattern of the converted light information,
which has been input by the converter 640.
[0056] Then, the driver controller 660 may request, again through
the light emitter driver 610, a light emitter to generate light,
wherein the light emitter is connected to the second driver 612,
and the light emitter may be operated. The light receiver driver
620 may re-instruct the light receiver 680 to be operated. Light
information detected by the light receiver 680 may be transmitted
again to the converter 640, which converts again the light
information into a digital format and transfers the converted light
information to the pattern reader 650.
[0057] Then, the driver controller 660 may request, again through
the light emitter driver 610, a light emitter to generate light,
wherein the light emitter is connected to the third driver 613, and
the light emitter may be operated. The driver controller 660 may
control the light receiver driver 620 and re-instruct the light
receiver 680 to be operated. Light information detected by the
light receiver 680 may be re-transmitted to the converter 640,
which re-converts the light information into a digital format and
transfers the converted light information to the pattern reader
650.
[0058] Then, the driver controller 660 may request, again through
the light emitter driver 610, a light emitter to generate light,
wherein the light emitter is connected to the fourth driver 614,
and the light emitter may be operated. The driver controller 660
may control the light receiver driver 620 and re-instruct the light
receiver 680 to be operated. Light information detected by the
light receiver 680 may be re-transmitted to the converter 640,
which re-converts the light information to a digital format and
transfers the converted light information to the pattern reader
650.
[0059] By these operations, the pattern reader 650 may read and
output the pattern.
[0060] FIG. 7 is another schematic diagram illustrating an example
of an apparatus of reading identification information according to
an exemplary embodiment.
[0061] An apparatus of reading identification information is
described in detail according to a schematic diagram of circuits as
illustrated in FIG. 7. To read a pattern of the biosensor, a light
emitter driver 710 may initially issue an operation instruction to
light emitters. The light emitter driver 710 may form the light
emitters into a group; and may include a first group driver 711, a
second group driver 712, and a third group driver 713, which
control the grouped light emitters for each group. The light
emitter driver 710 may drive the first group driver 711 and enable
the light emitters, which are connected to the first group driver
711, to generate light toward the biosensor. Then, after a light
receiver driver 720 recognizes the information that the light has
been generated, the light receiver driver 720 may enable a
photodetector of a light receiver 721 to detect the light that has
been reflected from the biosensor. Light information detected by
the photodetector of the light receiver 721 may be converted into a
digital format by a converter 730, and the converted light
information may be input to a pattern reader 740. The pattern
reader 740 may read a pattern of the converted light information,
which has been input by the converter 730.
[0062] Then, the light emitter driver 710 may request each of the
light emitters to generate light, wherein the light emitters are
connected to the second group driver 712, and the light emitters
may be operated. If the light receiver driver 720 receives a signal
of the light that has been generated by the light emitters
connected to the second group driver 712, the light receiver driver
720 may re-instruct the light receiver 721 to be operated. Light
information detected by the light receiver 721 may be
re-transmitted to the converter 730, which re-converts the light
information into a digital format and transfers the converted light
information to the pattern reader 740.
[0063] Then, the light emitter driver 710 may request again each of
the light emitters to generate light, wherein the light emitters
are connected to the second group driver 712, and the light
emitters may be operated. If the light receiver driver 720 receives
a signal of the light that has been generated by the light emitters
connected to the second group driver 712, the light receiver driver
720 may re-instruct a light receiver 722 to be operated. Light
information detected by the light receiver 722 may be
re-transmitted to the converter 730, which re-converts the light
information into a digital format and transfers the converted light
information to the pattern reader 740.
[0064] Then, the light emitter driver 710 may request each of the
light emitters to generate light, wherein the light emitters are
connected to the third group driver 713, and the light emitters may
be operated. If the light receiver driver 720 receives a signal of
the light that has been generated by the light emitters connected
to the third group driver, the light receiver driver 720 may
re-instruct the light receiver 722 to be operated. Light
information detected by the light receiver 722 may be
re-transmitted to the converter 730, which re-converts the light
information into a digital format and transfers the converted light
information to the pattern reader 740.
[0065] The light receivers 721 and 722 are electrically connected
to each other, and may be implemented in one single driving
circuit.
[0066] After all of these operations are finished, the apparatus
may detect a pattern of an identification information code of a
biosensor, and recognize the identification information related to
the pattern.
[0067] A composition of the apparatus is not limited to the
exemplary embodiments above, and may be added or modified as
necessary.
[0068] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method
for reading identification information according to an exemplary
embodiment.
[0069] As illustrated in FIG. 8, to read identification information
recorded according to an arrangement of different colors on a
plurality of segments on a surface of a biosensor, a method for
reading identification information may include: a) detecting an
insertion of a biosensor in 810; b) turning on one of a plurality
of light emitters arranged in a position corresponding to and
facing segments on the surface of the inserted biosensor, and
turning off the rest in 820; c) detecting light, which has been
projected from a light emitter and reflected from or penetrated
through the biosensor in 830; d) reading a code recorded in a
position corresponding to a plurality of segments on the surface of
the inserted biosensor through the detected light in 840; and e)
reading identification information by repeating operations b) to d)
for light emitters located in different positions and reading codes
of all segments in 850.
[0070] In one exemplary embodiment of the operation e), the method
may be implemented to turn on/off a plurality of light emitters by
alternating between horizontal and vertical directions.
[0071] Compared to the existing technology, the apparatus and
method may save resources, reduce the manufacturing costs, and
manufacture a small device by using a small amount of read sensors.
In addition, driving circuits, particularly in sensing circuits,
may be lessened, and several photodetectors are connected in a
single circuit resulting in a reduced number of tasks and time
needed.
[0072] The methods and/or operations described above may be
recorded, stored, or fixed in one or more computer-readable storage
media that includes program instructions to be implemented by a
computer to cause a processor to execute or perform the program
instructions. The media may also include, alone or in combination
with the program instructions, data files, data structures, and the
like. Examples of computer-readable storage media include magnetic
media, such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape; optical
media such as CD ROM disks and DVDs; magneto-optical media, such as
optical disks; and hardware devices that are specially configured
to store and perform program instructions, such as read-only memory
(ROM), random access memory (RAM), flash memory, and the like.
Examples of program instructions include machine code, such as
produced by a compiler, and files containing higher level code that
may be executed by the computer using an interpreter. The described
hardware devices may be configured to act as one or more software
modules in order to perform the operations and methods described
above, or vice versa. In addition, a computer-readable storage
medium may be distributed among computer systems connected through
a network and computer-readable codes, or program instructions may
be stored and executed in a decentralized manner.
[0073] A number of examples have been described above.
Nevertheless, it should be understood that various modifications
may be made. For example, suitable results may be achieved if the
described techniques are performed in a different order and/or if
components in a described system, architecture, device, or circuit
are combined in a different manner and/or replaced or supplemented
by other components or their equivalents. Accordingly, other
implementations are within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *